Thursday, July 5, 2012

Altering books can be a fun way to
create something beautiful and personally meaningful out of
something that has seen it's better days. Creating something that
expresses a rebirth of perhaps a lost idea is for me a deep
personal communication of understanding a new value to aging.

There are many ways to alter a book;
I'll show you what I have done. I first found an appropriate book, I
personally picked The Land of Oz .for its title, it's illustrations,
and it is also in the public domain. I always scan through the
illustrations to plan where put things in the book that I think
represent the story visually.

here are endless supplies that you can use to alter books. Here just
the basics of what you need. Be creative and use your problem solving
skills.

Tools needed:

X-acto knife or Knives

Book glue, or elmers glue is fine

Cutting Board- I use a large and small one

measuring tool( small metal ruler)

Old book with illustrations

Clear Scotch heavy duty packing tape

Tooth picks

And small sharp scissors

First you need a book to alter. It is best to get a hard backed book
old with illustrations in fair condition. Find a book that you love
and will compliment the illustrations. I work around the pictures,
incorporating them into your work. Be aware that you can not sell the
books after they are altered as they will contain the work of others,
unless they are in the public domain (1923).Version:1.0

The next step is to cut out with a X acto knife each page inside
the book leaving a border. I use the small cutting board to measure and I like to leave about
an inch on each side, a little less on the binding. The size is up
to you, and the shape as well, I prefer a square to work in. Cut out the shape on each page of the entire book. It will look like
one of those secret compartment books not glued down.

After your book is cut, go through the cut pages and choose the
illustrations you want to pop in the book set them a side for later.

Find the middle of the book and divide it use some sort of bookmark,
I use a folded paper from the book. Use the glue to glue down the pages one by one just a touch in from
the other as to create a nook inside the book and a place to put the
cut illustrations.
When you have finished one side of the book, do the other the same
way. Let dry for a day.

Cut the illustrations out with a slight border around the them. Place the illustrations on heavy duty tape to reinforce, sometimes I
use card stock as well. Cut out the illustrations with the X-acto knife on a cutting board.

Gluing them in the book is tricky, I use the borders a lot for
support, and some need toothpicks hot glued or taped to the backs,
this holds them up very well. As extras sometimes I tear up the pages and use them along the
boarders for a real bookish feeling.

Your book is ready for display!!!! if you have any personal questions I would be delighted to help,
just leave a comment.
feel free to send a picture of your work when you are done, I would love to post them;)

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About me

Collecting bits and pieces from my travels around the world and assembling them into a fine art collection of Curios, is my passion. I have an eye for collecting vintage items to retell stories of the past, bring new life and preserving memories. Each piece that I design includes a mixture of the discarded, and forgotten ordinary moments in everyday life.Lately I have begun working with Paper and Collage.